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QUESTIONS How can I contact you? My telephone number is 604-771-8647 and my fax number is 604-875-9704. What type of counselling do you do? Generally I work with people that have a variety of concerns or issues:
What is your therapeutic approach? I practice from a holistic perspective, which includes a feminist and creative approach and is client centered. This means I view myself as a supportive guide to help you find the answers within you, and to offer you a non-judgmental environment to explore your thoughts and feelings. My perspective on a feminist approach is to explore gender roles and expectations for both men and women, in heterosexual and same-sex relationships. This is done by examining many layers to a problem or concern, and exploring how society influences us personally and politically thus impacting our daily lives. It can also include exploring peoples problems by looking at personal power, inequality and privilege. With my background in social work, I also incorporate Family Systems Theory. This entails looking at how families and individuals interact based on their family of origin experiences, as well as within their larger community and culture. Counselling is a journey of self discovery and I see my role as a witness and supportive guide. You decide the path. I have been a practicing social worker since 1995. I completed a 4 year undergraduate Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) University degree in 1995 and a Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree in 1999. I have been a Registered Social Worker (RSW) since 1995 and a Clinical Registered Social Worker since 2006, the first year this designation came to B.C. I began my private practice in 2002. My work experience has been focused on trauma, relationship difficulties and mental health concerns. To engage in private practice in B.C. all Registered Social Workers must be approved by the Board of Registration of Social Workers. As well, I am licensed and insured to practice social work in B.C. and my business is registered with the City of Port Moody. What is the Board of Registration of Social Workers? "The Board of Registration for Registered Social Workers (BRSW) is the regulatory body for the profession in British Columbia." Their mandate is to protect the public from preventable harm by ensuring registered social workers have the qualifications and follow the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Not all "Registered Counsellors" are accountable to a Board that is mandated to protect the public from preventable harm. Nor are all "counsellors" mandated to follow standards of practice that is ethical and accountable. It's important to know and ask a prospective counsellor if they belong to a Regulatory Body. A Regulatory Body should have a complaint process. It is also important to know that not all "Clinical Counsellors" are
registered professionals accountable to a Board. What this
means is that anyone can call themselves a "Clinical Counsellor" and
protray themselves with qualifications that are not necessarily
legitimate. It is important to clarify all qualifications and registrations
with the prospective counsellor. What is different about a counsellor with a social work background? Social workers work with individuals and families within the context of "systems." Social workers view people's difficulties in context of their families and society. This includes seeing the individual within a larger social environment. Social workers use a "biopsychosocial" perspective. This means looking at the individual in a context that includes a biological, psychological and social perspective. All aspects of the individual are relevant and important to their personal and social functioning. Individuals are seen as parts of larger systems: families, community, and society. In contrast to psychologists, psychiatrists and some other counselling professionals, social workers pay particular attention to the person in their environment. For example, depression might be treated with medication in the medical model, whereas a social worker would also consider treatment that focuses on changing environmental factors. Environmental factors could include poverty, domestic violence, relationship difficulties, lack of parenting support, substance misuse, and harassment. The aim of counselling by a social worker is self-awareness and empowerment. What is a Clinical Registered Social Worker? Clinical Registered Social Workers have demonstrated advanced knowledge and skills in clinical practice. This includes assessment and diagnosis such as the DSM-IV. The DSM-IV is the standard diagnostic tool used in mental health assessments. To become a Clinical Registered Social Worker you are also required to pass a Social Work Association Board exam. This makes the designation of Clinical Registration distinctive in comparison to other counselling associations. What are your fees and preferred payment? A usual session is one hour in length. Individual sessions are $100.00 and couples or families $120.00. A limited number of student and sliding scale rates are available. Third party billing is available for:
Payment is possible through cash or cheque at the time of the appointment unless arranged in advance. 24 hours notice is requested for canceled appointments or the full fee will be charged. Do you provide a free initial consultation? I provide a free initial consultation for 15 minutes so you can make sure you feel comfortable with me and that there is a "fit." This is your opportunity to do the screening. Where is your office and what are your hours? My main office is located in East Vancouver near Broadway and Commercial although I occasionally use office space on West Broadway near Arbutus. I have day and evening appointments available. Do you have any specialized training? As a Certified Trauma Specialist I have demonstrated extensive education and experience specifically related to trauma. This training included completing the Trauma Counselling and Clinical Intervention Certificate at the Justice Institute of British Columbia in 2001. One of the tools I have training with and use in processing trauma is Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).I completed part one and two in 2004 and advanced EMDR training in 2007. EMDR began as a psychotherapy treatment to alleviate distress symptoms related to trauma.
I am also Certified in Critical Incident Stress Management (2004) through the Justice Institute of B.C. I am able to offer individual and group defusings and debriefings. With this, I have education and experience providing psychosocial support for work place crisis and community disasters. I am affiliated with the BC Association of Social Workers (BCASW) and the Board of Registration of Social Workers (BRSW). This is so I can engage in private practice and be accountable to a governing body. I also believe in and support the Code of Ethics for social work practice. I also belong to the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists (ATSS) in the USA. They are the international governing body for Certified Trauma Specialists. Since 2005 I have been the social work coordinator and representative for the B.C. Disaster Stress and Trauma Response Service (DSTRS) , a Ministry of Health service that provides psychosocial support to the community and emergency responders in the event of a disaster in British Columbia.
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